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Coffee & Moore County’s Fun Family Educational Resource - November 2014
Food Webs
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Food Webs A food web describes all the different living things in an ecosystem, or a group of living organisms (plants, animals, etc.) that work together with nonliving parts of the environment (things like air, water and mineral soil), and how they interact with each other. There are two primary categories in a food web: Producers make their own food and do not depend on any other organism for nutrition. Some producers in Simba’s Pride Land would be plants, grasses and trees.
Consumers are animals that eat the producers in order to survive. There are many levels of consumers.
Primary Consumers in the Pride Land are herbivores, or animals that eat only the plants and grasses. Examples of these animals are elephants and zebras. Secondary Consumers are animals like cheetahs and hyenas that eat the zebras and other herbivores. As animals get bigger or learn how to hunt in a pack, they reach a higher level in the food web. In the Pride
1. a series of organisms related by predator-prey and consumerresource interactions; the entirety of interrelated food chains in an ecological community. Also called food cycle. Land, the lion is the apex predator, or the top of the food web. Look around your yard. Look at the many different creatures that are around. See if you can create a food web. Remember: always start your web with plants and grasses!
One of Disney’s most famous movies is The Lion King. You may have watched this movie with your family. The movie tells the story of Simba, a young lion cub, who is trying to find his place in a very confusing world. Simba’s father, Mufasa, rules the pride lands (or grasslands) where they live. He is the ruler because the lion is at the top of the FOOD WEB on the African plains.
For more information, visit: http://education.nationalgeographic. com/education/encyclopedia/foodchain/?ar_a=1 Zebras are primary consumers, or herbivores. They eat plants and grasses.
Before they worked on The Lion King, several of the film’s creators spent two weeks on safari in Kenya, studying how real lions live. They watched hunting lions, mothers with cubs and big male cats stretched out in the sun. One time, they tied a rope behind their Land Rover and drove slowly as lion cubs chased the rope, batting and playing with it just like house cats chase yarn. They made sketches and took photos of playful cubs to create young Simba and Nala.
Did You Know? 2 - Kidsville News! :: November 2014
Food Web - noun
Fact obtained from Disney Adventure’s The Lion King Collector’s Issue, issued in fall 2003.
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Dear Readers, I hope you are as excited as I am to have Kidsville News! available to you once again in Coffee and Moore counties. November is a month to stop and reflect on the things we are thankful for in our lives. I am thankful for Tom Shelton (previous publisher of Kidsville News! 2008-20014) and the knowledge he gave me about publishing and marketing. I hope to be able to continue his legacy and passion for Kidsville News! by continuing to bring this wonderful learning resource to you each month with the help of our sponsors. I would also like to thank all of the schools and families for welcoming Kidsville News! into their classrooms and homes. We feel honored to be a part of the education and enrichment of our young students, as well as the community. The theme for this month’s issue is Food Webs. Learn what food webs have to do with one of Disney’s most famous movies “The Lion King”. In
addition, find out where in the world Serengeti is, how to play the game Mancala, and some important tips for staying warm this winter. Will you be hosting a party for your friends and want some entertaining ideas? Check out Kidsville Kitchen and learn how to host a dinner party. Another highlight in this issue is KIDS FIRST! FILM CRITICS film reviews. See reviews for kids by kids. Don’t forget to look at the calendar to be aware of events happening in your school systems. Some of you have already seen Truman out and about dancing at your schools. Please take notice of Truman’s art gallery next to the calendar page. Truman is very eager to fill his gallery with your artwork. Please send your artwork to P.O. Box 1092 Tullahoma, TN 37388 for a chance to have it displayed in the December issue of Kidsville News! When you mail your artwork in, please add your name, your teacher’s name, your grade and the school you attend. The classroom with the most entries will receive a free bowling party compliments of Tullahoma Lanes! Kidsville News! would not be possible without our sponsors. Please look for their logos and ads throughout this issue and remember to thank them when you see them for providing opportunities for children and their families to read, learn and get involved in the community. Have a great November! Be safe, remember what you are thankful for, enjoy Thanksgiving with your families and keep reading!
H i, K id s!
from th e I just g o t b ack e . It is fu n to se g ro ce r y st o re e. d s o f fo o d th er th e m a ny k in o n de r a b o u t It m ade me w e atu re s ge t w h ere o th er cr is mo n th, th e th e ir fo o d . Th s ct io n fe atu re C o n nec ti o n s se h o w dif fe re n t fo o d web s — e ir fo o d (o r a n im a ls ge t th ls .) r o th er a n im a od xam p le o f a fo b ec ome fo o d fo e g in z a m a n is a to le a rn Th e S erenge ti e in th e Wo rld er h W t u o k ec web. C h . b e au ti fu l p lace is o n th . th t u o b a mo re n o ck er th is m K rd a h ic R h it mo re I g o t to ch at w ge ti . Fi n d o u t en er S e th in s de r in H e le ad s safa ri b e a safa ri le a to s e k ta it t abou t wh a to Be . on a Wh at’s It L ik e uch fu n to g o m so e b ld u o n! I th in k it w ee tah in act io ch a e se to e lo v a n im a l safa ri . I wo u ld w h at k in d o f , ri fa sa a n o If yo u co u ld g o to se e? wo u ld yo u li k e
Coffee & Moore County’s Fun Family Educational Resource! Publisher Kellye Pierce Production Manager Lisa Claudio Kidsville News Inc. President Bill Bowman Kidsville News National Editor Joy G. Kirkpatrick Cover & Truman Illustrator Dan Nelson
Copyright ©2012 by Kidsville News! Incorporated. All rights reserved. No part of the issue may be reproduced in whole or in part in any form without written permission of the publisher or copyright holder. Neither participating sponsors nor the publisher will be responsible or liable for misinformation, misprints, or typographical errors. The publishers reserve the right to edit any submitted material. Kidsville News! Incorporated is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, artwork or other material. Children’s submissions should include name, address, telephone number and permission to publish signed by a parent or guardian.
Published Monthly by
Kellye Pierce
P.O. Box 1092 Tullahoma, TN 37388 931-247-3492 | kellye177@gmail.com kidsvillenews.com/coffee-moore
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The Meerkat
Meerkats:
aning they ivores, me n m o re a • Meerkats nd animals. a zards. eat plants sects and li in , it u fr s are eir favorite nnels •Some of th stems of tu sy e g u h in nd undergrou •They live ig called burrows. t that they d g the nigh elter durin g the day. sh e id v ro ows p durin •These burr tion from predators c te ro and p alance. g tail for b n lo ir e th •They use s with lored back o c d e n w ro e tan and b •They hav white bellies. e stripes and ir called th minate pa le to have pups. o d a y b d is lea coup •Each clan and they are the only , ir a p a alph pups by ke care of ta to s lp e clan h •The whole g and feeding them. in tt babysi ll. d a foot ta •They stan
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Carnivora Family: Herpestidae Genus: Suricata Species: suricatta A Meerkat is a small mammal that lives in the Kalahari Desert in Africa. Despite their name, they are not actually a kind of cat. They are part of the mongoose family. You may recognize a Meerkat from the TV show Meerkat Manor or as Timon from The Lion King. Meerkats are very social animals, and they live in groups, called clans, gangs or mobs of between 20 and 50. Living in such a large group has its advantages because while the rest of the clan is eating or grooming, a few Meerkats will act as lookouts. When they see predators, they let out a barking noise to warn the rest of the clan. Meerkats play an important role in the desert. They help to keep insect and rodent populations under control. Without them snacking on bugs, the desert would be overrun with pests that would destroy the environment and drive many desert species into extinction. Meerkats are also a very important food source for animals such as eagles and jackals. Without meerkats, the Kalahari Desert would not be the incredibly diverse and lively environment it is today.
For more information, visit the following sites: http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/meerkat/, www.animalfactguide.com/animal-facts/meerkat/ http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/content/kids/en_US/animals/meerkat/ & www.ducksters.com/animals/meerkat.php
4 - Kidsville News! :: November 2014
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by Barbara Gilmour Ms. Gilmour greeted each of the kids as they came into class. They were more excited today than the last time. She asked what changed since their last class. Tanner was first to reply. “I saw some progress in stopping bullying at my school.” Ms. Gilmour said, “That’s great!” Nicole added, “We had a fun school assembly program that told us positive things we could do to stop bullying.” Rudy was anxious to share next. “My school had some workshops where we got to tell about things that we have seen that weren’t very nice.” Truman the Dragon reported, “We did those, too, and some kids were surprised at how others felt with some of the things they said and did.” Carmen said, “We were given tips on what to do when we see someone being bullied.” Rudy added, “I hope all the kids
remember what we learned last month. We need to be aware of bullying not only in October, but all year long.” The kids all agreed with Rudy. Ms. Gilmour then asked if they had any ideas about how to keep the positive changes going. Nicole spoke up. “I think some new posters would be good reminders. All the kids would see them in the hallways.”
• Know rude behaviors can hurt or offen d others, so they don’t participate in them. • Know that practicing The Golden Rule can help stop rude behaviors. • Know that swearing won’t make them look “cool” and that it turns others off. • Are careful not to repeat unnecessary wor ds like “like,” “huh” and “you know.” • Never tease because they don’t want othe rs teasing them. • Don’t stare at others because it makes peop le uncomfortable. • Try to include, not ignore. • Know that stopping rude behaviors amo ng kids can help stop school bullying and violence.
Carmen agreed, “Those were fun to do. Let’s do them again.” Truman asked, “What should we put on them this time? Ms. Gilmour smiled and said, “I have just the thing. We are trying to encourage kids to be Cool Kind Kid® Challengers, so why don’t we put these challenges on posters for your schools?” The kids were excited to get started. All the kids were excited when they left class to see where they would hang their posters.
(C) Cool Kind Kid
Note to Parents from Ms. Gilmour: Bullying is the #2 epidemic in the United States. In addition to these Cool Kind Kid articles, we endeavor to provide up-to-date research, articles and other news on this topic on our Facebook page. For your kids, we post Tanner’s Tuesday Tips on Tuesdays, and Cool Kind Kid Challenger Tips on Fridays.We also post Shocking Sunday Stats to keep this issue in the forefront of people’s minds. We would love to post stories and photos of your kids being Cool
Barbara Gilmour, Tanner’s grandmother, is the creator and developer of the “Cool Kind Kid” Social Skills, Character Values and Anti-Bullying educational materials and the award-winning “Cool Kind Kid” Audio CD. She also writes the Children’s Manners Blog, offering tips for teaching your children manners and social skills. www.CoolKindKid.com.
Kind Kids, and how you have successfully dealt with bullying at your school or in your community. Go to www.facebook.com/coolkindkid. To send photos and stories and give your permission to post, go to info@coolkindkid.com.
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The The Serengeti is not a country; it is an ecosystem that spans two countries and several reserves and national parks. For most people, when they think of Africa, the Serengeti is what comes to mind. It is a large lush landscape of open grasslands bordered by harsh rocky hills, and it is home to many different species of animals such as lions, elephants, gazelles, zebras and hyenas. The Serengeti begins in north Tanzania and stretches through to southwestern Kenya in east-central Africa. This vast and complex ecosystem is protected by several parks and preserves that protect 80 percent of the land, but the most famous is the Serengeti National Park. This park began as a 3.2-square-mile game reserve in 1921 in order to protect overhunted lions, then grew into the national park in 1951. Many people visit these parks for adventures like safaris. • The Maasai are a people who live on the Serengeti. • For centuries, they have grazed their cows on the plains. • Serengeti is the Maasai word for “endless plains.” • It is mostly plains, but acai trees also grow and provide food and shade for many of the animals. • There are more wildebeests than any other animal (2 million). • Every year, more than 200,000 zebras and all of the wildebeests migrate across the plains in search of fresh grass. • This migration is the largest mammal migration in the world. • Ol Doinyo Lengai is the only active volcano in the region. • There are two rainy seasons. • Some of the oldest fossils of hominids were found here in the Olduvai Gorge. • The first European, Dr. Oscar Baumann of Germany, entered the Serengeti in 1892. While the animals and landscape of the Serengeti are very beautiful, the weather can be extremely harsh. It is a very warm and dry climate with two rainy seasons, from March to May and October to November. Droughts are relatively common in the area and can be devastating to the wildlife. It is a delicate balance that keeps these plains as beautiful and as rich as they are. For more information, visit the following sites: www.serengeti.org, www.kidsdiscover.com/spotlight/african-safari-for-kids/, www.livescience.com/23310-serengeti.html
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6 - Kidsville News! :: November 2014
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How To Play
Mancala is a popular strategy game for two players that is played by tribes all across Africa. Some historians say that Mancala is the oldest game in the world. In fact, there is a version of the game in nearly every single country in Africa. The name Mancala is Arabic for “to transfer.” Depending on the country and the tribe, there are many different names for this game, such as ti, kpo, wari and omweso. Each tribe also has a small variation on the rules, but no matter where you play or with whom or what they call it, the basic rules are the same.
• each First set up the board by putting 4 pieces in small bin on the board (there should be 12). • four One player starts the game by picking up all pieces in any bin on their side. • Then they drop one stone in each hole that they pass as they move counter-clockwise down the board.
• bin, If the last piece is dropped in their own large then they get another turn • they If it is in an empty hole on their own side, can capture any pieces on the opposite side (they place the captured pieces in their own large bin).
Mancala has been played in tribes for centuries, but now it is enjoyed all over the world, and you can play, too. You don’t need a fancy Mancala board to play. In some tribes, they just dig holes in the ground and use seeds to play. Another simple way to make a board is to use an egg carton. It has the perfect amount of small bins; the two large bins on the end, however, can be small bowls or just piles at the end of the carton. You also need 48 small pieces, whichcan be made of anything small lying around.
• their If it is an empty hole on the opponent’s side, turn is over. • inIf itthatis dropped in a full hole, pick up the pieces bin and continue. • The next player repeats the process. • The winner is the player with the most pieces in their large bin at the end of the game (Kalaha). • The game is over when all six small bins on one side are empty.
For more information, visit the following sites: www.tradgames.org.uk/games/Mancala.htm, http://woodsgood.ca/mancalarules.htm, http://boardgames.about.com/cs/mancala/ht/play_mancala.htm & http://ablemedia.com/ctcweb/consortium/vamafrica.html
kidsvillenews.com/coffee-moore November 2014 :: Kidsville News -7
One of the dances performed by the Maasai is the jumping dance competition called the adumu. The young men perform the jumping dance to show their strength and stamina as warriors. They gather in a circle and sing while each one takes a turn jumping as high as he can. As the jumping increases, the voices get higher and higher. Like most cultures, the Massai have many dances that they perform on special occasions and even just for fun. One of the moves common in Massai dance is a lot of bending, but other than jumping, their feet usually stay on the ground.
One of the great things about dance is that there are so many ways to do it. Most every country, tribe and culture has signature rhythms and moves that are expressed through dance. The Maasai people are known for their jumping dance. The Massai live in Kenya and northern Tanzania. There are about 500,000 to 800,000 members of this culture. They live mostly on the plains and are nomads. That means they don’t live in a house but rather, they roam the country looking for fresh food for their flocks.
For more information go to: www.kenya-advisor.com/masai-dance.html www.futurewarriorsproject.org/masai-massai-maasai.html
Check out this YouTube video showing a group of Massai people singing and dancing. www.youtube.com/watch?v=37BatjDzK5I
Beat the Morning Meltdown Ways to prepare family for the day ahead
said. “I love serving my family a hot, balanced breakfast, and it’s a lot easier than many people think.” Johnsonville just introduced fully cooked breakfast sausage, which is easy to warm up in the microwave for 30 seconds and powers kids up with protein to get them through the morning.
One mom who is all too familiar with handling hectic mornings is Elisa All, founder of 30 Second Mobile, a mobile website and app that keeps busy moms “in the know while on the go.”
With these ideas in mind, you’ll be ready for whatever the day brings. And one more idea: a mobile breakfast in a coffee mug that’s microwaveready and will have you out the door in minutes. Check out the delicious recipe for Sausage, Egg and Potato Scramble here and visit www.johnsonville. com for more easy meal ideas.
8 - Kidsville News! :: November 2014
Prep time: 5 minutes Cook time: 2 minutes
Mornings can be mayhem for moms. In fact, according to the Johnsonville Sausage Report, nearly half of moms say that mornings can be so hectic that most days everyone in the family needs to fend for themselves for breakfast.
All says it’s about planning ahead and powering up for the busy day ahead. “The kitchen in the morning can be chaotic if you don’t have everything lined up the night before,” All
Microwave Sausage, Egg & Potato Scramble
Servings: 1
1/2 cup frozen shredded hash brown potatoes
1
egg
1
tablespoon milk
2
links Johnsonville® Fully Cooked Original Recipe or Turkey Breakfast Sausage, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
tablespoons shredded cheddar cheese. Salsa, optional
2
Coat 12-ounce microwave-safe coffee cup with cooking spray. Add hash browns. Microwave on high for 1 minute. In a small bowl, combine egg, milk, sausage and cheese; pour over hash browns. Stir until blended. Microwave on high for 30 seconds. Stir. Microwave 30 seconds longer or until eggs are set. Serve with salsa if desired.
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kidsvillenews.com/coffee-moore November 2014 :: Kidsville News -9
Observing the Weather How hot was it today? How cold was it last night? How much rain or snow fell yesterday? Was it cloudy, windy or foggy? To know the answers to these questions, someone had to observe the weather. Some weather observations (like how cloudy it is) can be made with your eyes and some observations can be based on how it feels (like temperature or wind), but the best way to observe the weather is to take measurements. Several types of instruments can help. A thermometer tells us how warm or cold it is, a rain gauge tells us how much rain fell and a ruler can be used to measure snow. Anyone can make observations of the weather. In fact, you might want to keep a daily log of the temperature, what the sky looked like and whether there was any precipitation. Although the National Weather Service uses a variety of instruments to observe the weather, we also rely on observations taken by volunteers across the country. Your family or school can contribute to the weather information collected around the country by joining a volunteer network of weather observers. One such program is the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network, or CoCoRaHS for short. CoCoRAHS weather observers work together to measure and map precipitation in their local communities and across the country. So how does it work? Every time it rains, snows or hails, volunteers make precipitation measurements and enter them onto a website. Once the information is entered, it can be displayed on a map. The observations can then be used for many situations, like helping the National Weather Service decide whether to issue flood warnings. 10 - Kidsville News! :: November 2014
by Stacie Hanes
Measuring rain and snow is easy. To measure rainfall, you will need a rain gauge. Be sure to place it outside on level ground, and away from trees and buildings. After it rains, simply read how much rain fell into the rain gauge and record your observation. Snow can be measured with a ruler or, for the real big storms, with a yardstick. Your snowfall measurement will be better if you use a “snowboard.” A snowboard is simply a board that is painted white. Before a storm, place your snowboard well away from trees and roofs, and make sure to mark where you put it so you can find it when it is covered in snow. You should try to measure the snow as soon as the storm ends to get an accurate measurement. If you wait too long, the snow may melt, settle, blow away, drift or evaporate. If it’s been windy, you may need to take several measurements in the area and average them in order to get an accurate measurement. If you are interested, the CoCoRaHS network is always looking for more volunteer observers. If your family or school would like to become a volunteer weather observer, simply visit the CoCoRaHS website (www.cocorahs.org) and click “Join CoCoRaHs.” Additional details on how to observe and report rain and snow are available on the website. Stacie Hanes is a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Gray, Maine.
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See Truman...
“Out & About”
Truman Hanging Out East Lincoln Elementary C.E.O. Kick-Off
Truman will be the “special guest” for the lighting of the Christmas tree by the caboose in Tullahoma on Saturday, Nov. 29, from 4-5pm. Truman will also appear in the Tullahoma Area Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade Friday, Dec. 5th starting at 7 p.m.
Robert E. Lee Elementary C.E.O. Kick-Off
Bel-Aire Elementary C.E.O. Kick-Off
kidsvillenews.com/coffee-moore November 2014 :: Kidsville News -11
12 - Kidsville News! :: November 2014
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Win a FRE E Bowling Party for Your Class !
Truman is ve ry eager to fi ll his gallery with your artwork. Please send your ar twork to P.O . Box 1092 Tullaho ma, TN 3738 8 for a chance to ha ve it displaye d in the December is sue of Kidsv ille News! When you m ail your artw ork in, please ad d your name, your teacher’s nam e, your grade and the school you at tend. The clas sroom with the mos t entries will receive a free bowling party compl iments of Tullahoma L anes!
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Papa Johns Night @ Farrar Elementary
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Thanksgiving Holiday 26th - 28th
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Walk-A-Thon Fundraiser @ Robert E. Lee Elementary
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Fun Run and Fall Festival @ Robert E. Lee Elementary
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Hosting a Kid-Friendly Dinner Party
Children do not often attend dinner parties. Adults with children typically leave the kids with a babysitter when attending a dinner party with colleagues or friends. But some hosts choose to make their dinner parties kid-friendly. This approach can make things easier on guests, who won’t have to go to the trouble or expense of hiring a babysitter for the night. It also can make things easier on hosts with children of their own and who don’t want to add finding a sitter to their list of things to do in the days leading up to the party. Kids can add some life to a dinner party, but hosts may want to employ a few strategies to ensure their kid-friendly dinner parties are enjoyable for adults and children alike. * Feed the kids first. Kids can’t ignore their appetites as long as their adult counterparts, so make sure dinner for the kids is served once all of them have arrived. Choose kid-friendly fare like pizza or macaroni and cheese so kids When hosting a kid-friendly dinner are more likely to eat and not complain of hunger later in party, hosts can serve youngsters a the evening. Feeding the kids first also makes it easier for dish like pizza or macaroni and cheese adults to enjoy uninterrupted conversation when it’s their to ensure they don’t complain of turn to sit down and eat.
hunger later in the night.
* Keep the kids entertained. Whether it’s a movie, a board game or another distraction, finding something to keep the kids entertained throughout the night should be a priority for hosts. A selection of movies that kids can choose from might be your best bet, as films that are between 90 and 120 minutes long can keep youngsters occupied for much of the night. Let kids watch their movies in a playroom that’s separate from where adult guests will be gathering prior to dinner, and periodically check in on the kids as the night progresses. Provide some snacks like popcorn or even some candy to create a night at the movies atmosphere for kids. * Remind kids to be gracious hosts. When choosing activities for kids, remind your own children that it’s their responsibility to be gracious hosts, even if that means playing games they aren’t interested in or watching movies they have already seen. Let youngsters know in advance that if they fulfill their responsibilities as hosts they can choose how to spend the following day or weekend. * Choose an adult entree that’s simple to prepare. No matter how well behaved kids may be before and during a dinner party, hosts should not add to their already considerable workload by preparing an especially complicated meal for their adult guests. Keep things simple, especially if you are preparing a separate meal for the kids. Much of the stress of hosting a dinner party comes with preparing the meal, and that may only prove more stressful if you are preparing two meals while simultaneously catering to the needs of your youngest guests. * Consider hiring a babysitter. Sometimes hiring a babysitter makes sense even when mom and dad are home. A babysitter can look after the kids while the parents are elsewhere in the home enjoying a good meal and great company. Adults attending the party with their children can split the cost of a babysitter, even if he or she charges extra to look after several kids at once. Hosting a kid-friendly dinner party can make for a memorable night for parents and their children. Hosts can make the night even better by employing several strategies to make the party feel like a more traditional affair, even if the kids are in the next room. 14 - Kidsville News! :: November 2014
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Rearrange the letters to discover something pertaining to Thanksgiving.
AFLYMI
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Tips for Staying Warm this Winter
Anti-Littering Everyone has seen it: a plastic bag blowing down the street or an empty soda can lying in the grass. This is littering, when garbage is not thrown away properly. It may not seem like much, but a piece of paper or a soda can thrown on the ground can cause a lot of problems. Littering not only makes the environment ugly, but also can harm the environment and all of the plants and animals in it. Here are some facts about littering: • It can attract bugs and vermin like rats that bring diseases. • Animals can get caught in cans when they try to lick the food out. • Fish can get caught or harmed by fishing line or other plastics thrown in the water. • Chemicals from litter can make the plants and animals in the area sick. • Littering in water pollutes it and can make it unsafe to drink. • A single soda can takes 200 years to decompose. • Broken glass can hurt any person or animal that comes across it. • Littering is illegal, and people caught littering can be fined. • Human food is not healthy for animals to eat. • There is a giant patch of garbage in the Pacific ocean that is bigger than Texas. • Many animals are attracted to the bright colors of plastic and eat small pieces. The problem of littering may seem gigantic and impossible to fix. The truth is that if everyone gets involved, even in just a small way, littering can be stopped. The first step is don’t litter! Throw garbage away in the correct bins, and make sure to rinse the food out of cans and jars before you throw it away. The next thing to do is to help pick up the litter that is already there. It could be as simple as picking up a piece of paper that missed the trash can. Another option is to organize a group made of friends and family and to spend a day cleaning up an area. With just a few people, some gloves and a few trash bags, it is amazing what a difference you can make.
16 - Kidsville News! :: November 2014
Winter is coming, and that means the weather will be getting colder. There are plenty of ways to stay warm without wasting energy or resources. Close vents and doors in unused rooms. If rooms in your house aren’t used daily, close the air vent to those rooms and seal off the rest of the room. Closing the air vent and keeping the door shut will cause the temperature in the room to drop as you won’t be heating it, saving you money on the heating you were paying for that room. Wear thick socks or heavy slippers. Feet are one of the first body parts to turn cold, so be proactive with wool socks or slippers with a rubber sole. Taller socks keep more of your leg warm, and the rubber sole keeps your feet from feeling cool tile or hardwood floors. Lower the thermostat when no one is around. Before leaving for work, turn down your thermostat to keep the heat from running all day. No one is home to benefit from the heat, so you turn it down to save on energy costs. Keep hot drinks around. A morning cup of hot chocolate (or coffee for grownups) will help to raise your internal body temperature, and for those non-caffeine drinkers, try hot tea. Hot tea comes in countless flavors, from fruity to minty to herbal. Another alternative is hot cider. Use the sun. Open and close your blinds to let the sun in and naturally warm your house. South-facing windows should be opened during the day to maximize the direct sunlight and then closed at night.
Reprinted with permission from Star Energy Partners www.starenergypartners.com/blog/6-ways-to-stay-warm-without-wasting-energy-or-money
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Bright Future for a Comet-Chasing Spacecraft Alex H. Kasprak National Aeronautics and Space Administration Over 10 years ago, a spacecraft named Rosetta blasted off on its way to meet up with an icy dust ball. The European Space Agency launched the mission with contributions from selected European countries and also from NASA. Those who built Rosetta have high hopes for it. If all goes according to plan, a lander attached to Rosetta will gently descend to the surface of the comet for the first time ever. In fact, the Rosetta mission has already made history. In late August, after its decade-long journey, the spacecraft entered an orbit around a comet for the first time. The comet —Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko — is barreling quickly toward the sun as Rosetta circles around it. This is both a blessing and a curse. It’s a blessing because we will now have a front-row seat to a pretty awesome show. As this comet gets closer to the sun it will heat up. As it heats up, it will develop the bright coma and stunning tail for which comets are known. It’s a curse because eventually all that heat will make it impossible for the lander’s instruments to work. It could even break Comet 67P apart. That means there’s a deadline for putting a lander on its surface. The scientists must act quickly.
And act quickly is what they have done! Immediately after arriving at its target, Rosetta made a detailed map of its surface. Not only is it a beautifully detailed look at a mysterious space object, but it is also useful. When Rosetta first launched, scientists had no idea what the surface of Comet 67/P looked like. Now, using this map, scientists were able to pick out a number of potential landing sites to study. After teams of scientists and engineers discussed and debated all of those options, they picked one firstchoice landing site and one back-up site. Everything is on schedule for the landing attempt to be made in midNovember. Both on the surface and in orbit, Rosetta will not only help us understand what comets look like up close when they approach the sun, but it will also shed light on the formation of our own solar system. These icy comets are the leftovers from the time when our solar system was just forming Download the game CometQuest by NASA’s Space Place and take control of the Rosetta Mission. Land a lander and collect data while you avoid space hazards! http://nasagames.wordpress.com/2012/07/06/cometquest-a-rosetta-adventure/.
X marks the spot: Rosetta shot this picture of Comet 67P/ Churyumov-Gerasimen when it arrived in the comet’s orbit. The marked area is the first choice landing site. Credit: ESA/Rosetta/MPS for OSIRIS Team MPS/UPD/LAM/IAA/ SSO/INTA/UPM.
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Thanksgiving Traditions
Square. The parade was such a success that Macy’s declared it would become an annual event. And today, an estimated 3.5 million+ people gather in the streets to watch the parade, and 50 million watch from home. For Dads, one of the favorite traditions is watching football. The first Thanksgiving football game was played in Detroit, Michigan in 1934, when the Detroit Lions decided to host a game on Thanksgiving Day. The Lions have hosted a Thanksgiving Day game each year since 1934, with the exception of a brief interruption during World War II. The inaugural game, held in the Motor City
Many people in the United States look forward to Thanksgiving all year long because of the many traditions associated with the holiday. For kids, one of the most exciting traditions is watching the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The parade originated in New York City in 1924. Macy’s employees marched to Macy’s flagship store on 34th Street dressed in vibrant costumes. The parade also included floats and professional bands. At the end of that first parade, and every parade since, Santa Claus was welcomed into Herald
in 1934, saw the defending-champion Chicago Bears defeat the host Lions 19-16. For Moms, one of the traditions is Black Friday shopping. Black Friday is one of the busiest shopping days of the year and kicks-off the Christmas season. Stores offer great deals and some people start shopping at midnight and shop all night long and into the next day. While these traditions are fun, the best tradition is spending time with family and taking the time to reflect on all of the good things in your life and to be thankful for them.
Answers Rearrange the letters to discover something pertaining to Thanksgiving.
AFLYMI
Answer: Family
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P aren T own ’ s K id S hape
REGULAR EXERCISE Can Help Kids Do Better in School
Physical activity may not be the first thing parents or teachers think about when they want to boost a child’s academic performance, but evidence supports the notion that a bit of exercise for the body is beneficial to the brain as well.
In fact, kindergarteners who participated in Build Our Kids’ Success, a free beforeschool program involving physical activity and nutrition education, had significantly improved memory skills as rated by teachers, compared to their peers who did not participate. A study of the children’s performance also concluded that those who participated in the program exhibited good behavior in the classroom. “A sedentary life and poor eating habits can lower kids’ performance in the classroom and start a cycle of health problems later in life,” says Kathleen Tullie, founder and executive director of BOKS and the director of Social Responsibility for Reebok. “Simply stated, a healthy body and a healthy brain go hand in hand.” So how can you incorporate more healthy habits into your family’s routine? • Active weekends: Instead of a lazy Saturday or Sunday, get outside and get moving. Take a soccer ball to the park for a pick-up game or hike a local trail. Make exercise on the weekends a regular
habit for your family, and those habits will extend to the rest of the week as well. • Fuel throughout the day: A hearty breakfast sets kids up for a great day. Follow that up with a healthful, satisfying lunch and snacks such as nuts and fruit to help kids avoid the pitfalls of the junk food machines.
after-school sports. If your school doesn’t have such a program in place, look into starting BOKS at your school.
• Cook together: Take-out is great when you’re crunched for time, but be sure to cook at home at least a few times a week. Homemade meals are not only one of the few ways you can be exactly sure of what you’re feeding your family, but also the act of cooking together is a great opportunity to impart some lessons about nutrition and eating right. • Bedtime: Adequate sleep is crucial for a healthy, functional mind and body. Setting a regular bedtime and sticking to it is best to ensure kids get a full night’s rest. • Volunteer to get your school involved: Children should have one hour or more of physical activity daily, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Unfortunately, physical education class may not be sufficient. Investigate what other opportunities your child’s school has for physical activity, such as before-school programs like BOKS or
BOKS, for example, can be run by anyone — parents, teachers, the school nurse or a community activist. To learn more, visit www.BOKSKids.org. Healthy habits will not only reduce your child’s risk for such problems as obesity, diabetes and heart disease; they can help prime children for more success inside the classroom and beyond. So give your children a leg up and encourage them to get moving.
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substitute for practical experience; your best school is the bush, nature herself. Many of my most interesting insights come from my own observations, when I’m out there with my friends and fellow guides, or when I’m guiding clients. What is your favorite animal — it doesn’t have to be a safari animal. Am I allowed two? I’m a sucker for elephants and cheetahs. Elephants are incredible animals; they always seem to be doing something cool. They are social creatures, so you often see interesting interactions: a mother feeding her calf, two young males messing around, a herd luxuriating in a mud wallow. In some ways they seem incredibly human, which makes them all the more fascinating. Cheetahs are just soooo beautiful, the way they walk, the way they lie, the way they groom themselves. A safari supermodel. What is something cool most people don’t know about animals that you see on safari? Did you know there is a bird, called a honeyguide, that makes a special kind of call to get people to follow it to a beehive? The humans can get the honeycomb out of the hive, and they leave a piece of comb for the bird. Honeyguides can digest wax because they are serophagous (which is just a posh way of saying they can digest wax!). When and why did you become interested in this line of work? Thanks to my intrepid mother, I was always interested in travel and nature. But it wasn’t until I got to go on a trip as a trainee guide in Turkey in 1989 that I realized that this was the life for me. I got to go to amazing places, meet lots of fun people and also to share my knowledge. I suppose it is important to be a bit of a show-off if you want to be guide. What is the hardest part about your job? Saying goodbye to my wife at the beginning of a long safari. What is the best part about your job? Whenever we see something amazing and one of my guests says ‘wow!’ Can you tell our readers about your most exciting safari? Hmm, tough one this! Most recently, I spent five days with the Hadzabe, a hunter/gatherer tribe here in northern Tanzania, with a group of teenagers. Every day we walked with our Hadzabe hosts for hours at a time, foraging for food. It was amazing to watch as they hammered wooden pegs into a baobab tree to climb up to get honey from a hive, despite being stung by loads of bees, or to see the women dig up tasty potato-like tubers which they recognized
Richard Knocker leads safaris in Africa. His life is full of adventure! Tell our readers a little bit about yourself: I was born on a farm in Kenya. My mother always loved going on safari, so some of my earliest memories are of sitting by the car with a mountain of gear around us — tents, food, stove — before we set off on a trip. In those days, you could go to the Maasai Mara and just set up your tent wherever you wanted — we wouldn’t see another soul for days. School was fun. I always enjoyed learning, and we got to do cool stuff, like the time we went to Northern Kenya to watch a total eclipse of the sun. During the school holidays, we always went to the beach. I adore the ocean; snorkeling and diving are some of my favorite hobbies. After going to university in the United Kingdom, I got a job teaching in Istanbul, my favorite city in the whole world. Then, in 1990, I started working as a guide, and that’s what I’ve done ever since. I moved to Tanzania in 1994 with my wife Jules and three dogs. We live on the edge of Arusha National Park, where my wife makes fabulous cheeses and, occasionally, the elephants come visiting. What is a typical day like for a safari leader? Up early for a quick cup of tea, then off. We might be going for a walk or a game drive, but either way, I have to be
ready to explain to my guests what is going on around us: ‘These tracks show where a hippo made its way back to water’; ‘That herd of impala are staring and alarm-calling at the lioness over there’; ‘On this twig, there’s a chameleon, perfectly caouflaged against the bark.’ What kind of training does it take to lead a safari? These days there are lots of different schools where you can learn a great deal about nature and wildlife — the kind of information your guests will love hearing about. But there’s no
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Richard Knocker, Safari Guide
from a shriveled-up stalk above ground and the excitement with which returning hunters are greeted, coming back with a porcupine or hyrax in hand — food for the family. What are some interesting facts most people don’t know about Africa? Africa is splitting apart down the middle, along the geological fault known as the Great Rift Valley. It won’t happen next week, but the eastern part is slowly drifting away from the rest. One day, this will be an island.
If you look at an atlas, you can see how this has happened before: the coastline of the western part of Africa fits beautifully into the eastern side of the Americas, like a giant jigsaw puzzle. What is your favorite thing to do when you are not working? I love the beach — snorkelling, diving, sailing — but I can’t lie around and work on my tan. Explain to our readers what a safari is? “Safari” in Kiswahili means ‘a journey.’ Most people think of it as being a holiday where you’ll be looking at animals on game drives and possibly sleeping in a tent. To me it’s much more than that. It’s a sort of freedom, a journey to a new and different place. It’s also a journey of the senses where you get the chance to look at the world in a different way, as well as hear, smell and touch new things. It’s a journey of discovery where you see animals and birds that you’ve never seen before, and meet people with interesting cultures very different from your own. It’s also a journey far from things that you are used to, where each day you will do surprising and exciting things which hopefully leave a lasting impression. Thank you, Mr. Knocker!
photos courtesy of http://www.nomadtanzania.com/
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Tom and Jerry: The Lost Dragon
Tom and Jerry: The Lost Dragon –– Classic Cartoon Humor with a Sprinkle of Thrills Your favorite cat and mouse are back with song, sorcery and slapstick in this enchanted tale. The adventure begins when Tom and Jerry happen upon a mysterious glowing egg. Little do they know, this egg was stolen from a very large fire-breathing dragon! In a short time, baby Puffy hatches from his egg and chooses Tom as his mommy. The angry mama dragon wants her baby, but she’s not the only one –– a powerful witch named Drizelda captures the baby dragon for her own wicked plans! With the help of powerful allies and animal friends, Tom and Jerry fight tooth and claw to stop the witch and get the baby dragon back to his mother. The action takes flight in a climactic ending filled with might, magic and cartoon mayhem, of course! KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Gerry O. comments, “This is a story with a lot packed in it –– adventure to start with, covered in Tom and Jerry classic humor, with a sprinkle of thrills and all topped with family wrapped in one huge delicious story sandwich.” This is a classic Tom and Jerry film with all the goodness included! I thought Tom and Jerry would find a lost dragon in their normal house, but no! Tom and Jerry: The Lost Dragon is a hilarious family-friendly adventure with a lot of unexpected turns. This is a story with a lot packed in it –– adventure to start with, covered in Tom and Jerry classic humor, with a sprinkle of thrilling and all topped with family wrapped in one huge delicious story sandwich. The story begins with a girl who owns an animal-care shop, but it
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is going out of business. Then, they find a dragon egg, Gerry O., 12 and a whole bunch of stuff happens, including the girl facing her evil Aunty Witch! Of course, the girl’s two little helpers are a cat named Tom and a mouse named Jerry! What a fantastic Tom and Jerry film! This has everything right about it. Tom and Jerry don’t talk, but imitate talking. The slapstick humor makes you crack up throughout the entire film and much, much more! They cover all of it! The voices of the talking characters are fantastic, and they also make it so that Tom and Jerry are very close to main characters but are not in every scene. I like this because it lets the story develop much more smoothly and takes it much further. My favorite scene is probably in the very beginning when Jerry is awake and running around doing chores while Tom is lazily chilling on his pillow, not doing anything –– the classic Tom and Jerry scene. As usual, Jerry gets upset and teaches Tom a lesson. I love it because it’s such a classic moment for these favorite characters. This film is extremely family friendly. Even kids who don’t understand the characters will enjoy the bright colors, so a good age rating is 4 to18. I also give it 5 out of 5 stars for just an overall fantastic Tom and Jerry adventure.
Equestria Girls – Rainbow Rocks! Gerry O., 12
My Little Pony: Equestria Girls –– Rainbow Rocks Will Not Disappoint Music rules and rainbows rock as Twilight Sparkle and her pals compete for the top spot in the Canterlot High “Mane Event” talent show. This latest installment of the My Little Pony franchise does not disappoint and is perfect for your younger set as well as the die-hard Brony fans. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Gerry O., age 12, comments, “It is definitely a combination of adventure with a crème of comedy and a sprinkle of excitement all wrapped up in a friendship sandwich.” See his full review below and catch his interviews with Tara Strong, Andrea Libman, Will Anderson and more at the premiere. What an addition to the My Little Pony Friendship Is Magic franchise! This film has references to the first movie, a bit of story from the last season of the show and even all the little extra characters that My Little Pony fans love! It is definitely a combination of adventure with a crème of comedy and a sprinkle of excitement all wrapped up in a friendship sandwich. The adventure starts when a band performance is planned at Canterlot High, where the kids can make bands and raise funds, and three very unusual girls turn it into a super competitive battle of the bands. When they run out of things to do, Twilight’s friends from that world call to another world where Twilight is. Will they be able to come there and save them, or will evil prevail?
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This film is just fantastic! Hasbro was smart to include a lot of little fun things from the shows that fans adore, including the beloved Derby Hooves pony who is really never part of the story, just in the background for fun. The songs are great as well. We hear not just the classic My Little Pony songs from the TV show. Instead, the music is very pop-like, which suits the story well. I imagine that sing-along coming to the fans shortly and being a smash hit. The show’s creators also connected to the first Equestria Girls movie, which I thought was perfect. My favorite scene is when girls are having a sleepover at Pinkie Pie’s house. When Twilight gets out of bed and walks to the kitchen, she finds Pinkie’s older sister feeding her pet boulder. I love this scene because, in the show, there is an episode where we meet this sister. So, I thought having her in the movie is a great idea and so unexpected. This film does not have anything parents should be worried about, and for extremely little kids who do not understand the ponies, they will enjoy the bright colors. I give this film 5 out of 5 stars for its original story, fantastic songs and those little characters that fans and Bronies love so much! If you want to see My Little Pony Friendship Is Magic, Equestria Girls: Rainbow Rocks, it comes out in theaters, near you, September 27, 2014.
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